The Polar Pioneer entered Fortuna Bay and anchored as breakfast was wrapping up. Today we were to follow Shackleton's route from Fortuna Bay to Stromness Bay and the whaling station where he finally reached help. It would be another 5 1/2 months before everyone was rescued. The skies were mostly clear and the temperature was a balmy 45 degrees. We waited at the landing zone until all four Zodiacs were unloaded and we received our briefing. The jist of the briefing was that we were all to stick together and walk on rocks instead of grass when possible. The hike was just short of five miles.
The initial half mile or so was fairly steep but then the grades slackened up a bit nod then it was relatively flat for awhile. The views were fantastic but the best part for me was knowing I was following in the footsteps of one of my life's heroes. It's hard to believe that I am actually here. With Peg gone it was an amazing day of extreme emotional highs and lows. Many a tear was shed; mostly happy tears.
After about 3 1/2 miles I came over a slight rise and got my first view of Stromness Bay and the Stromness Whaling Station which was Shackleton's goal. Shackleton's day was very foggy with virtually zero visibility. He knew he had to be close but really wasn't sure until the 7:00 AM work horn was sounded at the station. Can you imagine how the three of them felt? We started the steep descent and near the glacier alluvial plain we got to see a waterfall that Shackleton and his men had to repel down. If only they were able to see their descent would have been much easier.
From that point to the Stromness beach we could hike on our own and I took the opportunity to separate myself from the group (imagine that) and try to reflect on the happenings of the last five months. About 1/4 mile from the end I left the allevial plain and climbed to a rock formation about 150' above the plain with a great view of the Bay and Whaling Station. I found a rock to sit on and spent about a half an hour contemplating what was and what was to be. Unfortunately no great revelations came my way but The Beav was certainly with me. A truly great morning.
The ship had come around from Fortuna Bay to Stromness Bay to pick us up and shortly after getting back on board lunch was served. After lunch we headed back to Fortuna Bay to go ashore, opposite of our morning landing point, for another shore walk among Fur Seals and King Penguins. I must admit it was extremely anticlimactic.
ILYB
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